Detailed Wisconsin Wedding Law Notes
These notes summarize state marriage-license, ceremony, witness, and officiant guidance for the new map experience.
Requirements for the Couple
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required (except during COVID-19)
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Waiting Period: 5–7 Days (can be expedited for a fee)
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 3 Days
Couples must be 18+ to marry or 16–17 with guardian consent. Divorced individuals must wait six months after their divorce is finalized.
Marriage License Requirements
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $45.50+ (varies by county)
- Accepted ID: Birth Certificate and Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (18+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required (except during COVID-19)
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
Couples must apply in person at a county clerk’s office. Proof of prior divorce and residency may be required during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marriage License Facts
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Waiting Period: 5–7 Days (can be expedited for a fee)
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 3 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $45.50+ (varies by county)
- Accepted ID: Birth Certificate and Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (18+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required (except during COVID-19)
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
Marriage licenses are valid for 30 days and must be returned to the issuing county clerk within 3 days of the ceremony. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
Requirements for the Minister
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Residency: Not Required
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Waiting Period: 5–7 Days (can be expedited for a fee)
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 3 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $45.50+ (varies by county)
- Accepted ID: Birth Certificate and Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
Ministers must be 18+ and ordained through Ministries of Love. Documentation requirements vary by county.
Wedding Ceremony Requirements
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (18+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required (except during COVID-19)
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Waiting Period: 5–7 Days (can be expedited for a fee)
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 3 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $45.50+ (varies by county)
- Accepted ID: Birth Certificate and Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
The couple, minister, and two adult witnesses must be physically present. The ceremony must include the couple’s verbal consent (“I do”) and the minister’s pronouncement of marriage.
Final Steps
- Officiant Title: Minister
- Ordaining Body: Ministries of Love
- Address: Minister’s Home Address
- Marriage By Proxy: Not Allowed
- Minister Presence: Required
- Witnesses Required: 2 (18+)
- Minimum Age: 18 years (16–17 with guardian consent)
- Residency: Not Required (except during COVID-19)
- Minimum Kin Distance: Second Cousins
- Marriage Equality: Yes
- Documents Required: Varies by County
- Online Ordination Recognized: Yes
- Registration Office: County Clerk
- Ceremony Type: Religious or Civil
- Waiting Period: 5–7 Days (can be expedited for a fee)
- License Validity: 30 Days
- Submission Deadline: Within 3 Days
- License Pickup: By Couple, In Person
- Cost: $45.50+ (varies by county)
- Accepted ID: Birth Certificate and Government-Issued Photo ID
- Proof of Divorce: Required if Applicable
- Blood Test: Not Required
The minister must complete the marriage license in black ink, including their title, ordaining body, and home address if needed. The completed license must be submitted to the county clerk’s office within 3 days of the ceremony.